MTLNOVEL Chapter 8
Chapter 8
I decided to steer the conversation back to magic.
"Isn't it better if the fact that I can use lightning spell isn't widely known?"
"Why would that be, Miss?"
"Because only the desert idiot-whatever and the southern emperor Ikarel can use it, right?"
"It's desert sage Pocahontas, Miss! And southern wizard Ikarelius, Miss!"
"Sorry. Anyway, if I can use a spell that only those two are supposed to know, I feel like I'd get dragged into all sorts of trouble."
People who are too capable, those who can use special software, those who process paperwork unusually fast—no matter the world or industry, trouble always finds them. The likelihood of being burdened with unreasonable tasks is high.
"With this, the Golden family will be secure for the next fifty years. All you need to do is show off at the Magic Battle Tournament with a bang."
"You really lose all restraint when it comes to magic, don't you?"
"My apologies, Miss. But hiding your power is unthinkable. Power must be displayed—that's how nobles are allowed to prosper."
"I suppose..."
I gave a vague nod.
So Ellie's Golden family is nobility. That makes sense.
"Though I shouldn't say this too loudly, the master has been in poor health for the past five years and has lost every Magic Battle Tournament since. So much territory has been lost! Oh, what a tragedy! The Golden family cannot afford to lose five years in a row! It's unbearable! Last year's one-on-one with the Ricky family—it was neck and neck until the very end, but the master's Wind Break was a terrible misstep!"
"Calm down, Clarice!"
I stopped the middle-aged maid from pounding the edge of the futon with her fists.
"My apologies."
"In any case, we're not revealing the lightning spell for now!"
"Wh-What?!"
"Because the desert's chosen one Pirachintas and the southern conqueror Ikaryaku—"
"Desert sage Pocahontas, Miss! Southern wizard Ikarelius, Miss!"
If I tease her any further, Clarice's veins might burst.
"Sorry. But it's a spell only those legendary figures can use, right? I'm not even sure I can do it again."
"You can. I know you can, Miss."
Clarice's eyes gleamed as she gripped my thick hands tightly—so tight my fingers turned white.
Scary! This middle-aged woman is terrifying!
After some back-and-forth about whether to reveal it or not, Clarice left the room with barely concealed frustration to prepare lunch. The sun was already high in the sky. Honestly, what a handful.
My relief was short-lived, as Clarice—now fired up—returned with every single magic book from Ellie's room. She carried a huge backpack and a handbag big enough to fit a child, both stuffed to the brim.
She stacked them beside the bed, urged me to "do my best" about thirty times, and finally left for the mansion.
Her magical enthusiasm is terrifying.
Since it was convenient, I opened the "Complete Guide to Magic Even Beginners Can Understand" she brought and looked up lightning spell.
'Ultra-grade composite magic: Lightning spell. 'Light' advanced to 'White,' 'Wind' advanced to 'Sky'—a fusion of these two elements creates a spell that calls down lightning. So overwhelmingly powerful it's called a natural disaster or calamity, its incantation has been lost, and no known mage can currently wield it.'
I see. Yeah. The explanation is so vague I don't get it at all.
'High-tier magic: 'White.' The advanced form of 'Light.' Among all twelve types, it is the strongest support magic, prized in every nation. Specialized in recovery, surpassing even 'Water' and 'Wood' healing spells. Masters can regenerate severed limbs. Basic structure consists of four tiers: Lower—'Light of Regeneration,' Middle—'Light of Blessing,' Upper—'Light of Omnipotence,' Ultra—'Light of Mystery.' Mastering up to Middle-tier qualifies one as a highly capable rear guard, essential to any party.'
Wow! If you can regenerate arms and legs, who even needs surgeons?
White magic is insane.
'Low-tier magic: 'Light.' One of the six-pointed star's elements. Primarily support-oriented, with well-known spells like middle-tier 'Mirage Fake' and upper-tier 'Cure Light.' While poor for detection or scouting, its healing properties make it essential for adventurers. Basic structure: Lower—'Light,' Middle—'Light Arrow,' Upper—'Lightning.' Magic schools worldwide consider upper-tier proficiency a graduation requirement.'
As the title suggests, this book is a beginner's guide, briefly summarizing magic types. For someone like me with zero knowledge, a purebred Japanese, it's incredibly helpful. By the end, I had a rough grasp of each magic's effects.
I also understood just how absurdly difficult the lightning spell I'd cast was. I jotted down a quick "What is magic?" summary in the diary—only because there was no paper nearby.
I stared at the rough sketch of the magic hexagram.
Flame
White | Wood
\\ Fire /
Light Earth
○
Wind Dark
/ Water \\
Sky | Black
Ice
Low-tier magic: "Light," "Dark," "Fire," "Water," "Wind," "Earth."
Lower → Basic
Middle → Average
Upper → Pretty impressive
High-tier magic: "White," "Black," "Flame," "Ice," "Sky," "Wood."
Lower → Quite impressive
Middle → Ridiculous
Upper → Genius-level
Ultra → Worship-worthy
High-tier composite magic:
Lower, middle, upper, ultra composite → God-tier
Meaning, I've already unleashed a god-tier spell upon arriving in this world. I'm definitely skipping steps. No wonder Clarice was shocked when she thought I'd mastered "White" and "Sky." Well, no use worrying—I'll just count myself lucky.
One question: the book says the incantation is lost, but Ellie's diary mentioned getting it from some old man. I'll add "track him down" to my to-do list.
That guy's obviously suspicious.
Why would someone with a legendary spell's incantation give it specifically to Ellie? Unless it's connected to my reincarnation here. He must know something.
Good. With a plan, I'm motivated.
First, I need to adjust to this world—otherwise, I won't find a way back to Japan.
Before I knew it, evening had come.
In the hospital garden, a hooded group in long coats, looking every bit the investigators, scribbled in notebooks while chatting. Ropes cordoned off the area like a crime scene in Japan, onlookers gathered (who even spread the rumor?), and food stalls selling skewers had popped up.
Leaning against the windowsill, I watched in disbelief as Clarice arrived with dinner, beaming.
"Clarice. I'm discharging tomorrow."
Pausing her meal setup, she eyed me worriedly.
"Are you sure you're well enough, Miss?"
"I'm fine. I can't trouble sister Amy any further."
"That's true. Miss Amy asks me daily about your condition."
"Exactly. So I'm leaving."
First, I need information. I can't stress this enough—I'm starved for intel.
"Also, Clarice, is there a place to practice magic without being seen?"
"There is! Of course there is, Miss!"
Clarice leaned in so fast she might've created a vacuum.
Too close! Her face is too close!
"The Golden family has a secret training ground! As a child, I often peeked at the master's practice sessions!"
Clarice's excitement was off the charts.
She's suffocatingly intense.
"Understood, Miss. The third-year term starts in three days, so we have two days to practice lightning spell! I'll bring lunch. Oh, don't worry—I'll dump the household chores on the other maids."
"O-Oh. Thanks, Clarice."
"A legendary spell tomorrow... and by Miss Ellie..."
"Clarice?"
"Ah, it's like a dream..."
"Uh, hello?"
"Could it be... Miss Ellie, like the great Yukimura Sekino... hehe..."
"Clarice."
I tapped her shoulder, snapping her out of it.
"Ah! My apologies. I'll fetch you tomorrow. I'll handle the discharge now, and we'll head straight to the secret training ground."
"Sure."
"Eat well and rest early, Miss!"
Nearly skipping, Clarice left the room.
Just how obsessed is she with magic?
Smirking, I looked outside again.
Magic, huh? As a kid, I idolized it in games. But using it for real? That's different. I'll need it eventually, so I should learn, but it's terrifyingly unknown.
Whether searching for a way back to Japan or not, "power" and "money" are universal advantages. For now, I'll focus on acquiring those while gathering intel. Oh, and I absolutely must lose weight. This body is unacceptable.
I opened the closet with a mirror at the back of the room and let out a heavy sigh.
The Ellie reflected in the mirror fell far short of my ideal.
Or rather, I've never seen a girl this fat even in Japan.
Suddenly, I spotted a flat, square wooden object inside the closet. On its right side, numbers from 1 to 120 were written, and a movable arrow pointed at 0.
......This is a scale. No doubt about it.
With a lighthearted curiosity about my current state, I stepped onto the scale.
Yes, knowing where you stand and what you're capable of is crucial for a businessman—
"CLAAAAAARICEEEEEEEE!!!!!"
Seeing the number, I instinctively flung open the hospital room door.
"CLAAAAAARICEEEEEE!!!!"
Hearing my desperate scream, Clarice came running at sprinter speed.
"Wh-what is it, Miss?!"
"Come here!"
"Where to?!"
"Just hurry up!"
I shoved Clarice into the room and pointed at the scale.
"Get on it."
"Eh...... Why would I?"
"Just get on it!"
"But Miss...... That's just too..."
"Get. On. It. Now!"
"Understood, Miss!"
The arrow on the scale stopped at 50 after she stepped on.
Overwhelmed by shock, I collapsed to my knees—well, more accurately, my excess fat got in the way, so I landed on my butt instead.
No mistake...... It's the same "kilo" unit as Japan.
"What's wrong......?"
"One... hundred..."
"Hundred?"
"One hundred and ten kilos!"
"Huh?"
"That's my weight!"
"Hoh?"
"Don't 'hoh' me! Why am I this fat?!"
"Well, Miss...... That's just how it is. Isn't it better than being skin and bones?"
"No, it's not!"
Feeling Clarice's comforting warmth as she patted my back, I firmly rewrote the top priority in my mental to-do list.
Top priority: lose weight.
Number one: get revenge on Bob.
Number two: find the orphanage kids.
Number three: find Cliff.
Number four: find that suspicious old man.
Number five: find a way back to Japan. (In my original form.)